Synergistic action of pygeum and nettle root extracts in prostate
disease
One of the theories about the cause of benign prostatic hyperplasia
(BPH) suggests that the testosterone metabolite dihydrotestosterone
causes or furthers the progression of prostatic enlargement. This
thinking is supported by the fact that men deficient in dihydrotestosterone
do not experience prostatic growth, and that treatment with prescription
drugs which inhibit the production of dihydrotestosterone can
decrease prostatic growth. An increase in the ratio of estrogen
to testosterone in elderly men indicates that estrogen may also
be involved in the development of BPH.
In this study, Swiss researchers R. Hartmann et al. demonstrate
that extracts of pygeum (Pygeum africanum Kalkman, Rosaceae)
and nettle root (Urtica dioica L., Urticaceae) partially
blocked the action of two enzymes involved in the body's production
of dihydrotestosterone and estrogen. The in vitro (laboratory)
study showed that both pygeum and nettle root extracts were effective
in inhibiting these two enzymes (5alpha-reductase and aromatase)
and that a combination of the two plant extracts was significantly
more effective than either extract individually in blocking aromatase
activity.
Nettle root extract was effective only at high concentrations,
while pygeum extract showed "a much higher efficacy"
at lower doses. The combination of the two extracts (Prostatonin®)
was as effective as pygeum against 5 a-reductase and significantly
more effective than either against aromatase. This study supports
the use of combinations of these two ingredients in the treatment
of BPH. This is especially important because pygeum bark is both
expensive and limited in supply, while nettle roots are easily
produced on a large scale.
-- Rob McCaleb, HRF
[Hartmann, R.W., Mark, M.,
and Soldati, F. 1996. Inhibition of 5 alpha-reductase and aromatase
by PHL-00801 (Prostatonin®), a combination of PY 102 (Pygeum
africanum) and UR 102 (Uritca dioica) extracts. Phytomedicine
3(2):121-128.] |
